Mako and Caldwell - Just doing their own thing

Nestled in the trendy surrounds of Sydney's Surrey Hills is an 'audio asylum' that goes by the name of Floating Point Music; a collective of DJs, producers, sound engineers, music writers and other creative types who work to create original and engaging pieces of music. Their latest project 'Mixed Business' provides a combination of producers, DJs and artists with the opportunity to put together albums that work to the highest of creative levels. TranZfusion talks to Simon Caldwell and Mako - the first in line for the 'Mixed Business' series.

Renowned for his ability on the decks, Simon Caldwell's (Mad Racket, Technikal, All Funked Up) discerning ear and educated musical palette meant that the first instalment of 'Mixed Business' would be nothing short of diverse, stylish and unique.

"There was a lot of communication relating to the music that would appear on the CD. Most care was taken with how the music evolves from start to finish. Similarly, all the extra parts I added sit within the context of the songs they relate to (hopefully) and do not try to compete for attention. I wanted tracks which stood in their own right as good tracks which I liked, with no limits on when they were made. I also tried to choose a mixture which would go together but also move between styles."

In between the getting and not of licensing approval, Simon overcame some very difficult choices to end up with a track listing that includes great soulful and soothing moments from the Beat Smugglers, Amp Fiddler, Edwin Starr and Gabriel B, and as Simon explains a selection that he hopes will inspire interest amongst listeners.

"Trying to create a diverse mix from a large record collection was really difficult. The hardest thing though was licensing the tracks, trying to get licensing approval, and then going back to the drawing board, and repeating that process a few times, but we do have what I hope people will feel is good music in an intelligent context and that they get a feel for the value we place on this music."

Enter Mako, whose talent as a producer and remixer added a further sonic dimension to Simon's track choices. Nominated for best remixer at the 2002 DMA's this is one perfectionist who isn't attracted to the idea of winning awards for his work, as Mako explains.

"I don't go in for awards. The concept is flawed in too many ways to go in to. Mainly I think there is no creative process in attending. A free outdoor festival where people could interact and meet with musicians and artists would be more fun."

A capable saxophonist and keyboardist, Mako has an obvious liking to each of the tracks of the album but like Simon has special affection for one in particular,

"I like all of the music on there for different reasons, though I do have a soft spot for Sensory Productions 'Deep Introspection'."

As much an important part of any album is the artwork. Visual artist Jay Ryves, who has been exhibited at Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art, was enlisted to do the design for this project.

"Jay, who composed the artwork, is a professional of remarkable talent. It was a given that her work would be well crafted and considered. She had full control over the artwork and brought her own style to it. I like it. It's very clean and modern, almost architectural," says Simon and Mako.

To coincide with the album release is the 'Mixed Business' tour, having already played an exhaustive 7 hour set at Melbourne's Honkytonks, the tour has been well received.

"Our first gig was really great. I played in bands at school and missed the spontaneity you get when you play with others. The crowd was quite vocal, which is always a huge buzz. The tour is really just to perform and promote some of the music from the CD. We play on three to four turntables and CD mixers and try to put on a bit of a show. I do some scratching and we throw extra loops and vocal parts over the top of the mix."

"We want to cover a fair few styles, Tags